John D. O’ Hara 71 of West Union, SC formerly of Camden, NY passed away March 3, 2022 at the Cottingham Hospice House, Seneca, SC after a brief illness. John was born Nov 11, 1950 in Rome, NY a son of Edward & Marion Dodd O’Hara. He and his family grew up in Camden, NY where John made many lifelong friends. He was a 1968 graduate of Camden High School and then the University of Vermont with a degree in Philosophy. John met the former Donna Dolgos in Burlington, VT in 1973. They were married in Camden, NY in 1976 first living in Camden then Osceola, NY where they cut, milled and constructed their own off grid log cabin. It was home for eight years before returning to Camden to a house built in 1883. It was a constant work project for 30 years, fortunately, John was an accomplished wood worker and carpenter by trade. He had remodeled many kitchens and bathrooms and built several additions in the area and across many different states.  It was his attention to detail, his knowledge gained and his never ending patience that many sought out his work and in turn increasing his circle of friends.  John was grounded in playing music. He first started playing guitar but later mastered the Hammered Dulcimer. He played with ‘String Bee’ for over 25 years. His combined interest in music and woodworking led to a design collaboration with Dan Duggan, a master Dulcimer player. From that collaboration, John had built 32 Blackhawk Dulcimers. John rewarded his exceptional work ethic with time to follow his passions and pastimes beyond woodworking and music. He enjoyed sailing Lake Ontario, telemark skiing the East and out West. John was a former marathon runner, hiker, golfer and always enjoyed the physical life of the outdoors. He collected and rode motorcycles throughout his life. One summer, He and Donna rode with their daughter Cailin to Nova Scotia. Several close friends were included in the many rides they took across the back roads of NY, Vermont and from the mid West including the South and North East.  John was a long standing member of the Cresent Sailing Club and a motorcycle club, Long Level Beemers, in NY. Donna & John moved to Northwest South Carolina four years ago and have created a new circle of friends there. They have been active members of the Keowee Sailing Club for those four years. John has led his life as a caring and most kind human and was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He touched so many lives and was one of the good ones taken early from this earth. He will be missed.  Surviving besides his wife Donna are their children; Casey & Ursula O’ Hara, Central, SC and Cailin O’ Hara, Burlington, VT, two grandsons, a sister, S. Diane Phillips, Spring Hill, FL, two brothers, William & Roberta O’Hara, Camden, NY and Charles & Mary Ann O’Hara, Lancaster, NY and a sister-in-law, Doris O’Hara & Bill Jenness The Villages, Florida, along with several nieces & nephews. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, Daniel O’ Hara and brother in laws, Richard Funda and Robert Phillips.  Celebration of Life Gatherings will take place Thursday April 21, 2022 from 3 -7 pm at Keowee Sailing Club, 150 Keowee Sailing Club Rd (Highway 130), Seneca, SC 29672 and Saturday July 2, 2022 from 2pm- ?, Burlap & Lace Barn, 2534 Waldron Road, Camden, NY 13316. Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers to the Hospice which took such good care of him as well as his family: Cottingham Hospice House, Prisma Health- Upstate, 390 Keowee School Rd., Seneca, SC 29672.   
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